Cricket Tragic Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 An unfailingly joyful celebrity on the cricket field; That is Yuvraj Singh, much misunderstood, much-maligned by “ill-informed†critics; a loner actually, still waiting for recognition. Few know the real Yuvraj, who, self-admittedly, is yet to attain the fruits of his hard work under scorching sun, playing for India, winning hearts, breaking hearts, but playing to win matches, pursing a punishing course but unwilling to bend or surrender. “I am not what they say, show or write,†pleads the man who, in Sachin Tendulkar's words, is an “awesome†cricketer. Yuvraj's story is about resonance of success even though his mistakes continue to haunt him. “When you are young, you are vulnerable. You don't listen to elders. As you grow, you understand life better. Criticism hurt a lot when I was young. Not anymore. I understand it is part and parcel of the game. But I welcome matured criticism.†Recuperating at home, spending time with friends and wondering what lies ahead, Yuvraj confesses he has matured since the World Cup glory. “I want to prove my mettle as a Test batsman. I have it in me, just need a break. I am looking forward to making an impact as a Test player. That is real cricket.†He is striving now to make it to the Test team for England. “Injuries and form always hampered my Test journey. Now was the best time but unfortunately this happened (chest infection). It is strange. The more I yearn for Test cricket the more it eludes me. I am hopeful to make it to the Test team for England. I am working to be fit and hopefully I'll get an opportunity. I want to do well in Test cricket.†The World Cup was a “dream fulfilled†but it was so dark and stifling, just a year ago. He was not getting runs, losing confidence. It was bleak and crushing. And then he spent an hour with Sachin Tendulkar, in Sri Lanka. “That one hour changed my life, my career†he remembers with gratitude. If Yuvraj, 29, played the World Cup for Tendulkar, 38, it was his way of acknowledging the man's influence and encouragement. “He told me so many things. He was actually more concerned than me. I was struggling for direction. He showed me the way. He recalled his own lack of form, how he had stopped enjoying cricket and how he emerged from that period.†What was the most important thing that he remembered from the one-hour conversation? “He told me ‘when the time comes you'll matter the most' and I remembered it right through the World Cup. I shone and he celebrated more than I did.†One of the finest stroke-makers in modern cricket, sometimes, quite needlessly, is compared with past greats. “I would like to be Yuvraj Singh, have my own identity, leave a legacy of my own... I know my responsibilities towards my fans and well-wishers and that is what I have been trying to achieve, trying to set an example, a benchmark, worth being proud of. I am simple and honest. That's how I want you to remember me.†He has never been a boring batsman to watch, never. Whether he entertains long, or perishes quickly, Yuvraj always bats on his terms. He believes in going the full route. How? By making a statement, a resounding one, with his bat, in his style. “I am not the type to worry about the average. I look at myself as a match-winner and would like to be known for this quality.†Who is the force behind his newly-found sense of calmness? “It is my belief in God. I am motivated to do the right things, with the right perspective. I owe it to my gurus (Sant Baba Ajit Singhji and Sant Baba Ram Singhji), and mom (Shabnam Singh).†Only three Test centuries in 34 Tests, his first coming in only his second match! “That is not me.†he confesses. So, what next? “Will make amends, will make runs, loads of them.†Bowlers, watch out. He had made a similar resolve before the 2011 World Cup. And won the Cup for India! http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/10/stories/2011061051431400.htm Will Yuvraj ever make it as a successful test player?
kooljatt Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Will Yuvraj ever make it as a successful test player? Tnx for sharing ! Yes he will ! Keep the faith Bruv ! He is a Warrior and Warrior's Neva give up !
pensionplan Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Will Yuvraj ever make it as a successful test player?Highly unlikely.
Blueraphael Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 A fluff piece...the article. Yuvraj has had his chances and may even get a few more in the coming months but its unlikely that he will be able to establish himself.
CoverDrive Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Article seems to have been written by his PR agency. I don't think he has a chance of making the English tour Test squad. He had a big chance of making a strong claim to it if he had played the WI tour. I am sure he would have been picked for Tests in absence of others.
Ram Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 I love my man Yuvi, but I am sorry to say, his test cricket aspiration are all but dead. :(( There used to be a time, when I thought that he could replicate his ODI success in the tests. That judgment was based on the fact he is probably more adept than most Indian batsmen at handling pressure and test cricket is all about, handling pressure. But seeing worked over like a novice during the Aussie tour of 2007/08 was very revealing. The problem is that, while his flaws in technique against short-pitched bowling was nothing new (most batsmen have deficiencies), this particular defect makes him extremely vulnerable, at all times during his innings. Its like going into a medieval style sword fight with a gaping hole in your shield. You probably can put up a good fight for a while, but at some point or the other, the other guy’s sword can pass right thru the hole and stab you in the heart. Never mind the physical flaw in his technique, the guy still doesn’t have the mental make-up to play short-pitched bowling. I forget which game it was during the world cup – Yuvraj was batting. Suddenly, the bowler bowled a quick short one at his body and he seemed completely taken aback by it, like he has never seen it before. He played it in the worst possible manner, jabbing at it instinctively and hoping the ball does not lob in the air. Now, for that to happen to a 12 year old veteran of international cricket is embarrassing. After nearly 300 international games, you have no business looking awkward doing anything. That was a sort a teachable moment for me, as a Yuvraj fan. That was pretty much when reconciled myself that Yuvraj should not play any more test cricket. If I were Yuvi, I would put aside my test cricket aspirations, try to replicate his success during the WC and focus on brining more glory to India and his IPL team. We have never won the champions trophy and the world cup T20 is coming up next year. If he helps us win both of these, then his legacy will build even further. The problem is, his disappointments at not making the test squad are beginning to have an impact on his ODI game. He was our first choice middle order bat after Ganguly retired and during the Lankan tour of 2009, he started the tour with a blistering 100 in the tour game. He then got injured, Suresh Raina took his place and the rest as they say, is history. He couldn’t recover from the fact that he had been summarily discarded from the test unit, his fitness suffered and his form plummeted in the ODI game so much so that he was dropped from the Indian ODI squad in 2010 for the first time since 2003. Yuvi should do what VVS did – which is to understand that he is not really cut for one form of the game and focus on maximizing his output from the others. He still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket, it is just a pity that it is not going to be in the test arena.
kooljatt Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 I love my man Yuvi, but I am sorry to say, his test cricket aspiration are all but dead. :(( There used to be a time, when I thought that he could replicate his ODI success in the tests. That judgment was based on the fact he is probably more adept than most Indian batsmen at handling pressure and test cricket is all about, handling pressure. But seeing worked over like a novice during the Aussie tour of 2007/08 was very revealing. The problem is that, while his flaws in technique against short-pitched bowling was nothing new (most batsmen have deficiencies), this particular defect makes him extremely vulnerable, at all times during his innings. Its like going into a medieval style sword fight with a gaping hole in your shield. You probably can put up a good fight for a while, but at some point or the other, the other guy’s sword can pass right thru the hole and stab you in the heart. Never mind the physical flaw in his technique, the guy still doesn’t have the mental make-up to play short-pitched bowling. I forget which game it was during the world cup – Yuvraj was batting. Suddenly, the bowler bowled a quick short one at his body and he seemed completely taken aback by it, like he has never seen it before. He played it in the worst possible manner, jabbing at it instinctively and hoping the ball does not lob in the air. Now, for that to happen to a 12 year old veteran of international cricket is embarrassing. After nearly 300 international games, you have no business looking awkward doing anything. That was a sort a teachable moment for me, as a Yuvraj fan. That was pretty much when reconciled myself that Yuvraj should not play any more test cricket. If I were Yuvi, I would put aside my test cricket aspirations, try to replicate his success during the WC and focus on brining more glory to India and his IPL team. We have never won the champions trophy and the world cup T20 is coming up next year. If he helps us win both of these, then his legacy will build even further. The problem is, his disappointments at not making the test squad are beginning to have an impact on his ODI game. He was our first choice middle order bat after Ganguly retired and during the Lankan tour of 2009, he started the tour with a blistering 100 in the tour game. He then got injured, Suresh Raina took his place and the rest as they say, is history. He couldn’t recover from the fact that he had been summarily discarded from the test unit, his fitness suffered and his form plummeted in the ODI game so much so that he was dropped from the Indian ODI squad in 2010 for the first time since 2003. Yuvi should do what VVS did – which is to understand that he is not really cut for one form of the game and focus on maximizing his output from the others. He still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket, it is just a pity that it is not going to be in the test arena. :hatsoff: hope this helps what im trying to say !
Jersey #10 Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 Goddy ka 'prasad' khake ladka thanya ho gaya tell me something new
nballa Posted June 10, 2011 Posted June 10, 2011 sachin revived millions of other careers as well. imagine all the kids who throw their books and pick up their bats, just watching him play. all of them will get into ipl and all of them will make millions.
lonestarranger Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Article seems to have been written by his PR agency. Which would be? :hmmm: His father, perhaps?
rkt.india Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Mathhew Hayden's test career actually started at the age of 29, why can't he? He needed to play in county cricket in this gap, I feel.
Tapioca Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Wow ! If Tendulkar were a catholic, they would make him a saint when he dies. He has done so many miracles.
anbuchelvan Posted June 11, 2011 Posted June 11, 2011 Sachin is a Great human being. He motivates not only Yuvi ,but many more non cricketing professionals.
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